"I've got to do it, especially with your editorial pages, which are definitely misleading the public on many items. I'm proud of us protecting the privacy rights of individuals and not putting burdensome regulations on business and letting them make the decision, not government make the decision," McCrory said when asked about the full-court blitz his administration deployed over the weekend.

There are differences of opinion about its aims. Supporters say it will protect women and children from having to use the same bathrooms and locker rooms as men with bad intentions. Opponents say the law will force transgender people to use a bathroom that doesn't correspond with how they present themselves.

McCrory's weekend response was notable to many state employees and long-time state government watchers, who say it speaks to the pressure – both practical and political – the governor is facing.

"That's certainly a non-traditional response," said Joseph Cabosky, an assistant professor at UNC's School of Media and Journalism, whose work focuses on public relations and politics.

He said the document's headline, which calls out the New York Times and Huffington Post, is meant to telegraph to supporters that the governor is under attack from a liberal media.

"The headline speaks to certain media outlets and conservative voters," he said. And the fact the document was pushed out over social media, Cabosky said, suggests he is hoping supporters will use it to refute those posting in opposition to the law.

Others suggest that McCrory's full-court press approach suggests he was worried about how the law, and the fact the governor signed it within hours of passage, will be perceived.

"I cannot conceive of a Republican or Democratic strategist I know suggesting that," said Mac McCorkle, a former Democratic strategist who is now a professor at Duke University's Sanford School. "That makes no sense strategically because it screams that he's very nervous."

Whatever pressure was already on McCrory after the bill had passed continued to build Monday. The High Point Furniture Market Authority, a group that manages a massive, twice-annual trade show in the Triad, put out a statement that customers were cancelling their plans to attend. At the same time, local political leaders like Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane raised questions about House Bill 2, as did President Barack Obama's press secretary.

“Like so many others across the country, we are concerned about the potential harmful impact of this law, especially on transgender youth, and believe it is mean-spirited and sends the wrong message,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement provided by the White House.

And in Georgia Monday, Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican like McCrory, announced he would veto a proposed "religious liberty" bill there. That measure would have given faith-based services the right to turn away gay, lesbian and transgender people for services.

McCrory said the two measures were nothing alike.

"I think the media is connecting the two when there's actually no connection whatsoever. They're two different issues, totally," McCrory said. "I know you're trying to connect them, but there is no connection between the two."

Jacob SmirnovMar 30, 2016

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McCrory is simply a moronic dolt. I fed up with the Republicans using my tax money to defend ALL their illegal legislation. Does he think the world and the US is are imbeciles like himself. A pathetic excuse for a human being.

— Posted by Wayne Rossignol

"Does he think the world and the US is are imbeciles like himself."

No. Just people like yourself.

Jacob SmirnovMar 30, 2016

View quoted thread

- AMEN!!!

— Posted by RB Redmond

Trannies and their supporters are offended by the word "AMEN". It's a judgmental word used by hate-mongering conservative christians. You must be one of those.

RB RedmondMar 30, 2016

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anyone that thinks this has anything to do with safety, rather than politics, and that this will not hurt the people of this state should just turn off FOX news now and wake up. the world is changing and you are wrong.

— Posted by Jeff Herring

- AMEN!!!

RB RedmondMar 30, 2016

View quoted thread

Agreed. The world is changing. If you are a man you can wave a wand and pretend you're a woman and vice versa. Before long you'll be able to wave a wand and become a unicorn - or a white horse with wings! Anything is possible if you use your imagination children.

— Posted by Jacob Smirnov

- Wrong!!! Their chromosomes prove they're transexuals, not their wants, opinions or desires.

RB RedmondMar 30, 2016

View quoted thread

McCrory is simply a moronic dolt. I fed up with the Republicans using my tax money to defend ALL their illegal legislation. Does he think the world and the US is are imbeciles like himself. A pathetic excuse for a human being.

— Posted by Wayne Rossignol

- Agreed, 100%.

RB RedmondMar 30, 2016

Doesn't matter what he says or does now. He's already proven either he doesn't understand chromosomes and transexuality, or he approves or discrimination...one or the other.

Wayne RossignolMar 30, 2016

McCrory is simply a moronic dolt. I fed up with the Republicans using my tax money to defend ALL their illegal legislation. Does he think the world and the US is are imbeciles like himself. A pathetic excuse for a human being.

John HeidaMar 30, 2016

View quoted thread

Humans are tried in courts when they break laws because they should know better. They are intelligent enough to understand what laws are and what the consequences are of breaking them. Dogs do not. There is no reasonable expectation for all dogs to behave themselves in all public places, unlike members of the more intelligent (arguable) and self-aware human species. Good strawman argument, but it ultimately does not hold up to the tiniest bit of critical thinking.

— Posted by Jim Halbert

Jim, it is a fair argument .... the dog is not the one making the choice of whether to obey the law or not... it is the person that is bringing the dog into the restaurant. It's pretty obvious a dog cannot be charged as a normal human being. That doesnt take a whole lot of critical thinking.

However, this law has discriminated against dogs for too long ! It's time to stand up and vote #Alldogseverywhere :) Just as the anti HB2 people are arguing that there is no statistical info on violators in the wrong bathroom... there is no statistical information that any dog has killed, maimed, or bitten a fellow diner while in a restaurant. :)

In defense of dogs in cafes, restaurants.... i bet business would go up, and in the long run that is good for the economy -

Jacob SmirnovMar 29, 2016

View quoted thread

anyone that thinks this has anything to do with safety, rather than politics, and that this will not hurt the people of this state should just turn off FOX news now and wake up. the world is changing and you are wrong.

— Posted by Jeff Herring

Agreed. The world is changing. If you are a man you can wave a wand and pretend you're a woman and vice versa. Before long you'll be able to wave a wand and become a unicorn - or a white horse with wings! Anything is possible if you use your imagination children.

Jeff HerringMar 29, 2016

anyone that thinks this has anything to do with safety, rather than politics, and that this will not hurt the people of this state should just turn off FOX news now and wake up. the world is changing and you are wrong.